The once-affordable Mobile Global Starlink satellite internet plan, your trusty companion for worldwide connectivity, has seen a price hike. It just went from $200 to $400, which is a hefty $200 increase. This change will be applicable to new subscribers immediately. As for the existing users relying on Elon Musk’s internet service, they get a grace period until August 16th, 2024.
What Is Starlink’s Mobile Global Plan?
Starlink offers various satellite internet plans to suit different needs. These plans fall into two main categories. They are fixed location plans and roaming plans. Roaming plans are designed for users who need internet access on the move. Starlink further divides these into options with standard or priority data.
The Mobile Global plan is specifically a roaming plan intended for international use. It provides users with standard unlimited data, allowing them to stay connected almost anywhere worldwide. Until recently, this plan was Starlink’s most affordable option for global internet access, priced at $200 per month. However, with the recent price increase, that’s about to change.
But the Price Hike Comes With a Silver Lining
Starlink satellite internet’s Mobile Global plan price hike might sting. But there’s a silver lining for those who need international connectivity. Starlink’s Mobile Priority plans also offer global roaming but with an added perk. You get priority data.
This priority data gives users faster speeds and better performance until the data pool runs out. Once depleted, the service switches to the standard unlimited data, similar to the Mobile Global plan. However, with Mobile Priority plans, you get a head start each month with that precious prioritized data.
For instance, the Mobile Priority 50GB plan currently sits at $250 per month. Compared to the new $400 price tag of Mobile Global, that’s a significant saving of $150. Plus, you get the benefit of 50GB of prioritized data each month.
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This makes Mobile Priority 50GB a clear winner for new customers seeking global internet access. Existing Mobile Global users facing the price increase in August might also want to consider switching. This does mean a $50 monthly bump from their current plan. However, it’s far cheaper than the $200 increase and comes with the advantage of prioritized data.
Possible Reason Behind Starlink Increasing its Mobile Global Plan for Its Satellite Internet
The big question on everyone’s mind: why the sudden price jump for the Mobile Global plan? Unfortunately, Starlink remains tight-lipped on the exact reason. They haven’t offered any explanation for the increase, its magnitude, or if similar hikes are on the horizon for other plans.
Starlink did cite “limited capacity” for a recent price increase on their Standard plan in certain areas. But this explanation seems unlikely for the Mobile Global plan. Unlike fixed location plans, roaming plans like Mobile Global wouldn’t be significantly impacted by capacity limitations in specific regions. Additionally, pricing for other Starlink roaming options seems unaffected for now.
One theory suggests Starlink might be phasing out the Mobile Global plan for satellite internet altogether. As mentioned earlier, the Mobile Priority 50GB plan offers the same features as Mobile Global. You also get the added benefit of prioritized data, all at a lower price point. Interestingly, the Mobile Global plan also appears to be missing from Starlink’s current plan selection.
Starlink hasn’t officially confirmed any plans to remove the Mobile Global plan. Also, requests for clarification on current pricing haven’t received a response. We’ll have to wait and see what Starlink has in store for this specific plan.
Tyler Fields is your internet guru, delving into the latest trends, developments, and issues shaping the online world. With a focus on internet culture, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Tyler keeps readers informed about the dynamic landscape of the internet and its impact on our digital lives.
